Business
One Guitarist From Every Letter of the Alphabet Who Played A Gibson
Pour one out for the legendary guitar maker, who filed for bankruptcy today.
The company that owns iconic guitar maker Gibson filed a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection petition today, bringing to a close a chapter in rock and roll history.
The company’s action does not mean that the business will close, but just that it gives them relief against immediate debts and creditors and offers the chance for recovery.
The petition, filed on Tuesday, notes that the company currently has up to $500 million in debt and will focus its operations on its musical instruments business, “unburdened by the challenges experienced by [the company’s] separate, primarily non-U.S., consumer electronics business.” That business includes the brands KRK, Cerwin Vega and Stanton, whose lines include studio monitors, headphones and turntables. Gibson also currently holds a majority equity interest in TEAC, a Japanese home audio electronics company.
While a comeback would be fantastic, today’s news offers a chance to ponder the artists who made the Gibson axe one of the coolest, most life-changing guitars of all time.
To prove it, here is one guitarist from every letter of the alphabet who strapped up a Gibson at some point during their career:
A
Billie Joe Armstrong. He’s on the left.
B
C
Maybelle Carter (left). An absolutely massive influence on countless guitar players. And female. And started recording in 1927.
D
Dave Davies. Also had alt country sideburns 30 before that was a thing.
E
John Entwistle. The bass is an electric guitar.
F
Ace Frehley. Chuck Berry called Ace a key influence on his playing. Not really.
G
Jerry Garcia. Dark Star.
H
Kirk Hammett. Just here for the free eye shadow.
I
Tony Iommi. The reason Black Sabbath is amazing.
J
Joan Jett. Hell yes.
K
BB King. Call me Lucille.
L
Alex Lifeson. Seriously, listen to what this man has done.
M
Ian MacKaye. So many thoughts.
N
Ted Nugent, hunter-gatherer.
O
- Roy Orbison used an ES-335 and a Les Paul with a Bigsby tailpiece. We’re working to confirm this. 🎸
P
Les Paul. They kinda named it after him.
Q
OK, we lied. There is no Q.
R
Keith Richards. Keef.
S
Slash. Guns and Axel.
T
Sister Rosetta Tharpen (Illustration: Sumlin). She might have invented rock and roll?
U
OK. We lied again. There is no U. But seriously, if you know of someone…
V
Eddie Van Halen
W
Johnny Winter.
X
OK, damn, so it’s actually 22 guitarists who played a Gibson. But if you’ve read this far, you don’t really care, do you?
Y
Neil Young. Just go listen to ‘On the Beach’ right now.
Z
Frank Zappa. Looks like an SG.
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